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The Australian Federal Police (AFP) provides National Police Checks for:
- residents of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Jervis Bay Territory and external Commonwealth territories
- people seeking employment with the Commonwealth Government
- people requiring a check under Commonwealth legislation
- immigration purposes
- overseas employment
- adoption, including overseas adoption
- visa applications.
All other applicants should contact the Criminal Records section of their relevant State or Territory police service. If you are unsure whether you should apply to the AFP or your state service contact Criminal Records.
You will only need to provide fingerprints as part of your application where there is a requirement for such a check to be conducted. Your fingerprints will be checked against a central database of records and will take additional time to process. An additional cost is also associated with this service, see fees below.
Where a fingerprint check is required, it is your responsibility to obtain a full set of fingerprints from your local police jurisdiction.
Applicants in the ACT requiring fingerprints should make a booking to have their fingerprints taken by telephoning the ACT Fingerprint Hotline on 02 6245 7351. Please note that this applies to applicants in the ACT only.
The following requirements must be met when submitting an AFP National Police Check (NPC). Failure to meet the required standards will result in the form being returned for amendment
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DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS WITH YOUR APPLICATION.
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Your payment, in Australian dollars, should be included with your application. Please do NOT send cash. Applications with incorrect amounts will be returned.
- A copy of an Australian driver's licence, or another form of acceptable identification (passport, full birth certificate, marriage certificate) must accompany the application. You must provide a certified copy of any non-photographic identification you supply as part of your application.
- Ensure all the necessary details have been completed and the form is signed and dated.
- Check that you meet the requirements noted above.
- Please note parental consent will be required if the applicant is under 18 years of age.
- Read the general information section in the application form.
- Make sure you understand the Spent Convictions Scheme and how it applies to your application.
- Complete all sections in black pen using BLOCK LETTERS in the boxes.
- All other names by which you are known or have previously been known (such as your maiden name), must be listed in full on the form or on an enclosed additional sheet.
- Check that your date of birth is correctly entered on the form.
- You must submit the form no more than three months after signing it.
- Mark the appropriate check boxes with a cross (X).
- You must also sign any attachments included in your application.
- Do not send the Application Completion Guide to the AFP. Please retain it for your reference.
- Ensure you secure all paperwork, forms, payment, and identification to your application.
If you are submitting your NPC directly to the AFP (rather than through your employer or organisation) the following is also required:
- A cheque or money order payable to the Australian Federal Police.
- If using a cheque, it must be from an Australian bank or from an institution affiliated with an Australian bank.
- The correct payment must be included with all applications.
- Do not include self addressed/stamped envelopes for return of certificates. These will not be used or returned.
- Post all applications to:
Australian Federal Police,
Criminal Records
Locked Bag 8550
CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601
Goods and Services Tax is not payable on National Police Checks.
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$45.00 for each National Police Check application from a government department or an individual.
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$45.00 for each National Police Check application from a non-government organisation (eg: commercial entities like brokers, migration agents etc)
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$145.00 for a fingerprint and National Police Check application, where fingerprints are taken and processed by the AFP.
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$105.00 for a fingerprint and National Police Check application where fingerprints are supplied to the AFP on application.
The current processing time for a routine National Police Check is approximately 15 working days from the date it is received by Criminal Records. Please be aware that processing times for National Police Checks may vary as the AFP may need to seek information from other police jurisdictions.
Current processing times for Fingerprint Checks is approximately 30 working days from the date received by Criminal Records.
We recommend that you allow sufficient time for processing and return by postal services before making inquiries regarding your application.
You are asked to certify that the personal information you have provided on the completed application form is correct. If it is subsequently discovered, for example as a result of a check of police records, that you have provided false or misleading information, this may be reported by the AFP.
It should be noted that the AFP does not assess or adjudicate your application but merely provides information to the prospective employer/authority to assist in their assessment.
If you believe the information provided on your National Police Certificate is incorrect or inaccurate in any detail please complete a Disputed Record form (PDF, 50KB). If you have any additional information or documents supporting your enquiry they should be attached to your Disputed Record Form to enable the AFP to more accurately assess your application. The AFP may require comparison fingerprints to resolve some disputes. In such instances applicants will be notified.
The Privacy Commissioner is responsible for ensuring the protection of private information relating to individuals. This includes investigating instances where information has been released improperly or incorrectly. An individual who believes the standards dealing with disclosure and use of old conviction information have been breached may apply to the Privacy Commissioner for an investigation of the matter. The telephone number is 1300 363 992.
| Criminal Records - National Police Check |
AFP Criminal Records
Locked Bag 8550
CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601 |
Ph:(02) 6202 3333
Email Criminal Records |